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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Arkansas
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Arkansas? Our ranking highlights 80 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Trade College evaluated 21 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Arkansas
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Arkansas State University Newport to be the best-value Trade school in Arkansas. Arkansas State University Newport is a public school based in Newport, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Arkansas State University Newport Trade students take on a median of $10,925 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,524 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,925 median debt. More on Arkansas State University Newport
A rank of #2 makes South Arkansas Community College one of the best values in Arkansas. South Arkansas Community College is a public school based in El Dorado, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,386 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $34,521 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,386 median debt. Read more about South Arkansas Community College
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Ouachitas one of the best values in Arkansas. Set in Malvern, AR, College Of The Ouachitas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, with out-of-state students paying around $4,388. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,374. More on College Of The Ouachitas
You'll get strong value at University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Batesville, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,630, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,265 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,706. Set against $9,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville
Out of the 21 schools in Arkansas in this year's value ranking, Northwest Arkansas Community College landed the #5 spot. Based in Bentonville, AR, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,342, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Northwest Arkansas Community College Trade students take on a median of $12,479 in debt. Northwest Arkansas Community College alumni report median earnings of $43,505 a decade after entry. Set against $12,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Northwest Arkansas Community College
Arkansas Northeastern College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Blytheville, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. Arkansas Northeastern College Trade students take on a median of $7,944 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,169 ten years after entry. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Arkansas Northeastern College
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Mountain Home, AR, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Graduates carry a median of $18,097 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Arkansas State University Mountain Home
Rich Mountain Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Mena, AR, Rich Mountain Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,696, compared with $4,272 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,037 ten years after entry. Get the full Rich Mountain Community College report
Arkansas State University Beebe placed #9 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Arkansas State University Beebe is a public school based in Beebe, AR. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,350 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,603. Set against $9,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Arkansas State University Beebe
Black River Technical College placed #10 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Located in Pocahontas, AR, Black River Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,776, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,420 in student loans. Median earnings reach $34,818 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Black River Technical College
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #11 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Based in Helena, AR, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $4,550. Typical Trade student debt is $5,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $29,552. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas profile
North Arkansas College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Harrison, AR, North Arkansas College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $5,592. Graduates carry a median of $10,645 in student loans. North Arkansas College alumni report median earnings of $34,653 a decade after entry. Set against $10,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about North Arkansas College
National Park Community College landed the #13 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Set in Hot Springs, AR, National Park Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Students borrow a median of $14,162 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on National Park Community College
Pulaski Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Set in North Little Rock, AR, Pulaski Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Pulaski Technical College Trade students take on a median of $15,043 in debt. Pulaski Technical College alumni report median earnings of $34,722 a decade after entry. Set against $15,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Pulaski Technical College
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public school based in Jonesboro, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical Trade student debt is $23,399. Median earnings reach $42,617 ten years out. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full Arkansas State University Main Campus report
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Fort Smith, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. The median Trade program debt is $20,333. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,102. Set against $20,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas Fort Smith
Southern Arkansas University Tech ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Camden, AR, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. Median earnings reach $36,376 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,488 median debt. Get the full Southern Arkansas University Tech report
Arkansas Tech University placed #18 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Located in Russellville, AR, Arkansas Tech University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $23,257. Arkansas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $41,766 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Arkansas Tech University report
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Based in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,721. Graduates carry a median of $27,093 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,265 ten years out. Set against $27,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Arkansas At Little Rock
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Conway, AR, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. University Of Central Arkansas Trade students take on a median of $22,920 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,938 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants. See the full University Of Central Arkansas profile
University Of Arkansas At Monticello offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Monticello, AR, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about University Of Arkansas At Monticello
Central Baptist College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. More on Central Baptist College
Arkansas State University System Office landed the #23 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read the full report on Arkansas State University System Office
Henderson State University placed #24 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Read the full report on Henderson State University
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton placed #25 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. See the full University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Arkansas
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read more about Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Imagine Paul Mitchell Partner School placed #27 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Read more about Imagine Paul Mitchell Partner School
Baptist Health College Little Rock placed #28 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. See the full Baptist Health College Little Rock profile
Champion Christian College placed #29 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Read the full report on Champion Christian College
Arthurs Beauty College Jonesboro came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. See the full Arthurs Beauty College Jonesboro profile
Northern Technical College landed the #31 spot for value in Arkansas this year. See the full Northern Technical College profile
Northwest Technical Institute placed #32 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Read more about Northwest Technical Institute
Hendrix College
Hendrix College landed the #33 spot for value in Arkansas this year. More on Hendrix College
The Salon Professional Academy North Little Rock ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on The Salon Professional Academy North Little Rock
Professional Cosmetology Education Center placed #35 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Get the full Professional Cosmetology Education Center report
Williams Baptist College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Williams Baptist College report
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff landed the #37 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read more about University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff
Searcy Beauty College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on Searcy Beauty College
Academy Of Salon And Spa offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Academy Of Salon And Spa
Arkansas Beauty School Little Rock came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Arkansas Beauty School Little Rock report
Jackson Theological Seminary placed #41 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. See the full Jackson Theological Seminary profile
Career Academy Of Hair Design came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. See the full Career Academy Of Hair Design profile
Strayer University Arkansas placed #43 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Get the full Strayer University Arkansas report
Arkansas Baptist College placed #44 among the best-value Trade schools in Arkansas. Read the full report on Arkansas Baptist College
River Valley School Of Massage landed the #45 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read more about River Valley School Of Massage
University Of Arkansas landed the #46 spot for value in Arkansas this year. More on University Of Arkansas
University Of Arkansas System Office landed the #47 spot for value in Arkansas this year. Read more about University Of Arkansas System Office
Ouachita Baptist University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Ouachita Baptist University profile
Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing report
East Arkansas Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on East Arkansas Community College
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 21 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 80 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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